The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-31
DEFENSE OF YOUNG MEN.
REV. DIR. TALMAGE'S SERMON IN
BROOKLYN YESTERDAY.
The Temptations That Beset Youth
The Protective Influence OF a Reiig-
ious Home-The Habit of Industry
Respect for the Sabbath.


joining rooms packed, and people turned
away. Such was the scene today. The
congregation sang
Andprcss with vigor on"
The Rev. T. Dewitt Talmagc, ID. d.,
preached on the subject; Defense of
Young Men" and took his text from III.
Kings, vi, IL: "And the Lord opened
the eyes of the young man." He said
zone morning in Dothan young theo-
logical student was scared by finding him
self and Elisha, the prophet, upon whom
he waited, surrounded by whole army Of
enemies. But venerable Elisha was not
scared at all, because he saw the mount
aims full Of defense for him, in chariots
made out Of fire, wheels OF fire, dashboard
OF fire and cushion Of fire, drawn by horses.
with nostrils Of fire, and launches of fire,
and hoois OF ilrc--a supernatural appear
ance that could not he seen with the nat
ural eye 30 the old minister prayed that
the young minister might see them also;
and the prayer was answered, and the Lord
opened the eyes of the young man, and he
also saw the fiery procession, looking some
Alleghcnics in this autumnal rcsplcndcbce.
MANY young men, standing among the
most tremendous realities, have their ewes
half shut or entirely closed. May God
grant that my sermon may open wide your
eyes TO your safety, your opportunity and
your destiny,
"a mighty defense for young man Is
good home. Some Of my hearers look
back with tender satisfaction 10 their early
home. IL may have been rude and rustic,
hidden among the hills, and architect or
npholsterer never planned or adorned II.
But al the iresco ON princely walls never
looked ~ enticing Ia you IN those rough
hewn raftep, You can think Of no park
or arbor OF trees planted on "a fashionable
country seat NO attractive IN the plain
brook that ran in front Of the old farm
house and sang under the weeping viii.
lows. No barred gateway, adorned with
statue Of bron1c, and swung open by OBJ
sequious porter in full dress has half the
glory of the swing gate Many Of YOU have
n second dwelling place, your adopted
home, that also is sacred forever There
you built the irst family altar There
your children were born. All those trees
you planted. That room IN solemn, be-
cause once In II, over the hot pillow,
Tapped the wing Of death. Under that
roof you expect when your work h done Ia
lie down and die. You try with many
words IA tell the eNccllcncy Of this place
but you fail. There is only one word in
the Language that can describe your mean
ing. II is hoine.
"Now, declare IL. that young man
Is comparatively safe who goes out into the
world with n charm like this upon him.
81
ing. planning and praying, will be % him
n shield aud n shelter | never knew
man faithful both 10 his early and adopted
home who nj the same time was given
over Ia any gruss form Of dissipation or
witkcdncss. lie Who seeks his enjoyment
cliciiy from outside association, rather than
IRON the moro quiet aud unprcsuming
pleasure Oi which ! have spoken. may bc
expected Ia hr ON the brnad mad tn ruin.
Absllom dcspiscd his fathers HOUSE,
and You know his history of sin
and his death Of shame II You
seem unnecessarily isolated from your
kindred aud former association, II there
not some noon that YOU can call your
ownl Into II gather books, aud pic,iirrs.
and harp. Have pnrtrai, over the
mantcl Make ungudly mirth stand back
frum the threshold. Cunscratc some spot
with the knee oi prayer. by the memory
1t other days, a fathers counsel, and a
mothers love, and sisters confidence,
call Il home
"Anothcr defense Nv a young man Is IN
dustrious habit. Many young mcn, In
starting upon life In this agc, expect Ia
make their way through the world by the
use oi their wits, rather than the toll al
their hands. A child nov gDcs Ia the city
fail Nttt.a IL L.. r. a A. Il
brother WIS when he flint saw the spires oi
the great town. Sitting in some office,
renied az ~ 900 a year, lac Il waiting for
the bank TO declare ita dividend, on go.s
into the market expecting before night "a
be made rich by the rushing up of the
stocks but luck seemed ~ duh hc ~.
solved on some other tack. Perhaps he
borrowed from his employers money
drawer, and iorrcts 10 put II back. or for
merely the purpu-e Of improving his
Pcnnanship makes q copy-plaic Of mcr-
chants signature. Never mind, all IL
night In tu'dc. In some dark night there
may come ~ his dreams vision ui BLACK.
well ISLAND, OF sing Sing. but II soon van
thcs. In short time be will be ready n
frtfe irum the busy world, aud amid his
Hooks and herbs culture the domestic viz.
tues. Then thosc young men who once
NeU his school mates, aud knew no better
than io engage In honest work, will come
with their uN teams 90 draw him logs. and
With their hard hands help hcayo up his
castle. This Is no fancy pirturr. II Il
every day life | should not wonder II
ihcw VEN some rUttcn beams In that
beautiful palace. should not
wonder II dire sickncsscs should
sniie through the young man.
or II tod should pour inio
he cup u life draught that would thrill
INN With unbeatable agony. should not
wonder u his children should become 90
MN living curse, making his home a
pest and Disgrace. ] should not wonder
u he gocs 10 miserable grave, and beyond
~ into ihe gnFhinR ol teeth. The way oi
The nnFodly shah perish.
My young friends, thcrcls no way 10
genuine succcss except through toll, either
81 the head or hand. Al the battle oi
Cpcy, In l3i0, the Prince Of walcs. find.
ing himself heavily pressed by thc enemy,
sent word 10 his father Tor HELM. The
father, watching the battle from a wind.
mill, and seeing that his son was not
wounded aud could gain the day II lac
would, sent worl. mo, will not come.
let the boy win his spurs, ior, II God will,
] desire that this day be his with all ID.
honor. Young man, fight your own hat
lie all through, and you shall have the vic.
tory. Oh, Il Ia battle worth fighting
Two monarchs Of old fought duel Charles
V. and Francis, and the stakes wcrc King.
doms, Milan and Burgundy. You fight
with ain, and the stake Is heaven or hell.
DO not gct the fatal idea that you are a
gcnius, and that therefore there u no need
OF Close application. II " here where mul.
ttudcE fail. The great cursc of this agr 4